A new treaty between the United States and Belgium to avoid double taxation was enatced Dec. 28, 2007. The effective date for withholding taxes will be Feb. 1, the Belgian Embassy said Tuesday.

Virginia—John Lemons of Lemons Jewelry passed away on Feb. 13, 2008, at the age of 82.

Los Angeles—Wolf Designs, the designer and manufacturer of leather jewelry cases, technical watch rotators and personal accessories, has relocated its corporate office and West Coast design studio from Malibu, Calif., to West Los Angeles.

Mumbai, India—The Gitanjali Group, through its luxury and retail arm Gitanjali Lifestyle Ltd., has added 14 international jewelry, watch, writing instrument and silverware companies to its showcase of luxury brands for the Indian consumer.

New York—New York-based diamond company LID Ltd. announced on Tuesday that a recent order for a court-appointed receiver in Israel will not affect its operations.

Paramus, N.J.—The Movado Group expects to streamline its Movado brand U.S. wholesale distribution by 35 percent—from 4,000 doors to approximately 2,600 doors—by Jan. 31, 2009, the company announced yesterday.

Wilmington, Del.—A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved a request on Tuesday by bankrupt jewelry store chain Friedman's to conduct store-closing sales.

Milan, Italy—Robbers made off with about $19.7 million in jewels from Damiani's Milan showroom Sunday morning in a heist fit for Hollywood, according to a story on the Web site of London newspaper The Times.

The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism fell 2.8 points in January to 91.8 (1986=100), the lowest reading since January 1991 (91.4).